6 Surprising Things Your Eyes Reveal About Your Overall Health

Eyes have been called the windows to the soul, but they also can provide clues about underlying health conditions. Signs of diabetes, high blood pressure and autoimmune diseases all can be detected through a routine eye exam.

In addition to annual checkups with your primary care doctor, regular eye exams are an important part of preventive care, helping identify and monitor chronic conditions early.

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Eye Exams Can Uncover Early Signs of Diabetes

While vision problems are often one of the last signs of diabetes to appear, changes in retinal blood vessels can sometimes be an early warning sign. During an exam, a doctor may notice these changes and recommend follow-up care with your primary care provider.

High Blood Pressure Leaves Visible Signs in the Retina

High blood pressure or hypertension doesn’t just strain the heart, it damages small blood vessels throughout the body, including in the eyes. During an exam, doctors can spot narrowing or bleeding retinal vessels that point to elevated cardiovascular risk.

Eye Deposits May Signal Elevated Cholesterol

Eye doctors can also spot another cardiovascular warning sign: cholesterol deposits in the cornea. These deposits may reveal elevated cholesterol levels before a person even knows it. Anyone with corneal deposits should follow up with their primary care doctor, as this can signal an increased risk of heart disease.

Eye Inflammation Can Be an Early Cue to Autoimmune Disease

Not all red, inflamed eyes are just allergies or irritation. Uveitis, a type of eye inflammation, can be caused by several illnesses, including the autoimmune disease rheumatoid arthritis. Eye doctors can spot the inflammation and start treatment, reducing the risk of vision damage.

Thyroid Disorders Affect Eye Comfort and Appearance

Thyroid disease can cause inflammation that affects the eye muscles and eyelids, leading to bulging, dryness or discomfort. Early identification and intervention can reduce the swelling and pain.

Neurological Conditions May Appear as Vision Changes First

Variations in your eyesight like double vision and blind spots could be the first signs of a neurological problem, according to the American Optometric Association. A thorough eye examination may prove to be a valuable diagnostic tool, not just a vision check.

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Ellen R. Delisio

Ellen is a content producer for AAA Northeast, covering automotive, finance, public affairs and electric vehicle news. She is a former newspaper reporter with experience writing for print and online publications about everything from higher education to sustainability. She recently returned to her native Long Island after living in Connecticut for 20-plus years, and has never met a beach she didn’t like.